Filter separator for wet enrichment of finely dispersed materials

ABSTRACT

A filter separator for wet enrichment of finely dispersed materials comprising at least two filtering tanks made from nonmagnetic material with ferromagnetic filtering elements accommodated therein and adapted for extracting desired materials from the pulp. Mounted in each tank between the filtering elements are electromagnetic coils, and provision is made for a distributor unit for separate supply of pulp and water to each of the tanks, this unit being installed above the tanks with capability of turning about their axis of symmetry.

[ Sept. 11, 1973 11 1970 Heitmanctal.......................

Vose 11/1970 Machlan d T a n y m 0 6 9 1 l 7 FILTER SEPARATOR FOR WETENRICHMENT 0F FINELY DISPERSED MATERIALS [76] Inventors: SergeiAlexeevich Tikhonov,

'p Klrova; Primary ExaminerSan 1ih N. Zaharna Gennady cleorglevlch Judm,Assistant Examiner-T. A. Granger Prospekt Klrova 1; NineAttorney-Waters, Roditi, Schwartz & Nissen Alexandrovna Babushkina,ulitsa Gagarina, 26, kv. 24, all of' Simferopol, U.S;S.R.

Mar. 29, 1971 Appl. No.: 128,855

[57] ABSTRACT A filter separator for wet enrichment of finely dis- [22]Filed:

persed materials comprising at least two filtering tanks made fromnon-magnetic material with ferromagnetic filtering elements accommodatedtherein and adapted for extracting desired materials from the pulp.Mounted in each tank between the filtering elements are electromagneticcoils, and provision is made for a distributor unit for separate supplyof pulp and water to each of the tanks, this unit being installed abovethe 463 4 3m 2 mu 3 l 4 mwfl2 3 2 3m 2 7 /0 03/% 1/0 25.1 2 2 m 0 NE 1 2mm Tn c .r "a

e s I! C Ur HUN 555 tanks with capability of turning about their axis ofsymmetry.

3,567,026 Kolm 210 222 8 Claims, 3 Drawing Figures Pa ented Sept. 11,1973 3,757,948

2 Sheets-Sheet 1 J Paiented Sept. 11, 1973 3,757,948

beefs-Sheet 2 FILTER SEPARATOR FOR WET ENRICHMENT OF FINELY DISPERSEDMATERIALS The present invention relates to apparatus for wet enrichmentof finely dispersed materials, employed in the enrichment of kaolins,feldspars and other minerals.

Known in the art is a filter separator designed for wet enrichment ofoxidized iron ores, comprising a ring type rotor divided by means oftransverse partitions into filtering tanks accommodating ferromagneticelements, namely, steel balls. The bottom of each filtering tank is madeas a truncated pyramid provided with a drain for pulp and water.

The rotor rotates between the gaps of a magnetic circuit in anelectromagnetic system. In the course of the rotor rotation, water andpulp are in turn fed to its tanks in an incessant flow passing throughsaid tanks.

The pulp is fed when the tanks are between the gaps of magnetic circuitin the electromagnetic system, and water is fed when the tanks areoutside said gaps.

When the filtering tank is in the magnetic circuit gap of theelectromagnetic system, there takes place magnetization of theferromagnetic elements in the tank, which elements extract from the pulppassing through the tank magnetized particles of iron-containingminerals.

The processsed pulp is drained to a receptacle.

When the filtering tank moves out of the magnetic circuit gap of theelectromagnetic system, the ferromagnetic elements and particles ofiron-containing minerals are demagnetized, while water supplied to thetank in an incessant flow carries away the extracted particles ofiron-containing minerals and is then directed to special receivers.

The separation of the initial material in the flow, in the known filterseparator, does not provide for a full extraction from the pulp of lowsusceptibilityparticles due to a high velocity of the pulpflow throughthe filtering tank, thereby precluding the possibility of separatingmaterials which contain such minerals.

In the known filter separator, when separating initial materials, no useis made of the forces of selective adherence of hydrophobic particles ofminerals being extracted to hydrophobic surfaces of the filteringelements, this likewise decreasing the efficiency of separation'offinely dispersed materials.

The use in the filter separator of an electromagnetic system withmagnetic circuit brings about dissipation of magnetic energy and is notconducive to a full utilization of this energy, this fact also producingan adverse effect upon the separation of the initial pulp.

A cumbersome electromagnetic system employed in the known filterseparator causes a considerable increase in overall dimensions and costof the latter.

It is an object of the present invention to develop a filter separatorthat provides for a fuller extraction from the initial material ofparticles of desired minerals.

It is another object of the invention to reduce the overall dimensionsand weight, as well as cost, of the filter separator.

Disclosure is made of a filter separator for wet enrichment of finelydispersed materials, comprising at least two filtering tanksmanufactured from nonmagnetic material, in one of which tanks thedesired minerals are extracted from pulp while in the other tank theextracted minerals are washed away by water,

and electromagnetic coils adapted for magnetization of ferromagneticfiltering elements housed by said tanks. According to the invention, ineach of the filtering tanks the electromagnetic coils are mountedbetween the ferromagnetic elements, while above the tanks there ismounted, with possibility of turning about their vertical axis ofsymmetry, a distributor unit adapted for effecting in turn the separatesupply of pulp and water to each of the tanks.

In the filter separator according to the present invention, eachfiltering tank is made in the form of two concentric cylinders havingtherebetween a space for collecting the processed pulp, and acone-shaped bottom having in its vertex an opening which accommodates amagnet valve adapted for the removal of water with extracted minerals,while in the upper portion of the outer cylinder provision is made foran opening adapted for draining the processed pulp.

In. the filter separator of the present invention, the distributor unitis essentially a rotary bowl divided by means of a concentric partitioninto two sections for pulp and water, respectively, and two stationaryreceiving funnels arranged beneath the bowl, the bottom of each of thebowl sections having, diametrically oppposite each other, an openingadapted for draining the pulp and water into the funnels which, on therotation of the bowl, directs the pulp and water supplied thereto to thefiltering tanks.

Used as the ferromagnetic filtering elements are steel balls orcorrugated steel plates coated with a hydrophobic film.

When separating the initial material in the filter separator disclosed.herein, low susceptibility particles are better retained by theferromagnetic elements owing to the fact that the separation of theinitial material takes place in bulk under conditions of laminar flow.This extends the possibilities of concentration of minerals enriched bymeans of the filter separator of the invention.

Coating the ferromagnetic filtering elements with a hydrophobic filmhelps make use, when separating the initial materials, of the force ofselective adherence of hydrophobic particles of minerals being extractedof hydrophobic surfaces of the filtering elements, thereby alsoincreasing the efficiency of separation of the initial materials.

The provision of electromagnetic coils in each of the filtering tanksbetween the ferromagnetic elements helps reduce dissipation of magneticenergy making for a better utilization thereof, thereby improving theprocess of separation of initial materials.

The absence of a magnetic circuit in the filter separator of theinvention makes for reduced overall dimensions and weight, as well ascost, of the filter separator. This invention will become more apparentupon considering the following detailed description of the preferredembodiment thereof, due'reference being had to the accompanying drawing,in which:

FIG. 1 illustrates partly in section a filter separator for wetenrichment of finely dispersed materials, in accordance with the presentinvention;

FIG. 2 is a plan view of the filter separator according to theinvention; and

FIG. 3 is a plan view of the receiving funnels.

Referring now to FIGS. 1 and 2 of the drawings, the filter separator ofthe present invention comprises a bedplate 1 made of plate steel, whichmounts two filtering tanks 2 secured thereon symmetrically and rigidly.

Mounted on a shaft 3 above the tanks 2 with the possibility of turningabout the vertical axis of symmetry of said tanks (which coincides withthe shaft 3) is a distributor unit 4 adapted for effecting, in turn,separate supply of pulp and water to each filtering tank 2.

Each filtering tank 2 is manufactured from nonmagnetic material in theform of two concentric cylinders, namely, an inner cylinder 5 and anouter cylinder 6, between which there is provided a space 7 adapted forcollecting the processed pulp. The bottom 8 of the tank 2 is connectedwith the outer cylinder 6 and has a conical shape with an opening 9 inits vertex.

The opening 9 of the bottom 8 accommodates a magnet valve 10 adapted forthe removal of water'with particles of extracted minerals. In the upperportion of the outer cylinder 6 provision is made for, an opening 11adapted for draining the processed pulp.

Provided inside the filtering tank 2 is a grid 12 which mounts the innercylinder 5 and an electromagnetic coil 13 enclosed in a sealed casing 14of non-magnetic material. The coil is arranged between hydrophobicferromagnetic elements 15, preferably, steel balls or corrugated steelplates coated with'a thin film (3 p. to 5 y.) of a hydrophobicsubstance, for example, organosilicon waterproofing fluid, Teflon, etc.

The distributor unit 4 comprises a bowl 16 rotatable about the axis ofsymmetry of the tanks 2, and two receiving funnels l7 immoveably.mounted beneath the bowl 16.

The bowl 16 is rigidly fixed on the shaft 3 which coincides with thevertical axis of symmetry of the tanks 2. The lower end of the shaft 3rests on a bearing 18 arranged in the center of the bedplate 1. Servingas the second support for the shaft 3 is a bearing 19 mounted in abushing 20 (cf., FIG. 3) arranged between the receiving funnels 17.

The bowl 16 is divided by means of a concentric par tition 21 into twosections 22 and 23 for pulp and water, respectively.

In the respective bottoms 24and 25 of the sections 22 and 23 provisionis made for openings 26 and 27 adapted for draining the pulp and water,respectively, into the receiving funnels 17.

On the outer wall of the bowl 16 is mounted a pressure means 28 adaptedfor switching on end switches 29 the moment the pulp is fed to thefiltering tanks 2.

The receiving funnels 17 are shaped as half-cylinders whose bottoms 30(FIG. 3) are provided with openings 31 adapted for draining into thefiltering tanks 2 water and pulp supplied to the receiving funnels 17.

The filter separator disclosed in accordance with the present inventionoperates in the following manner.

Prior to feeding into the bowl 16 (cf., FIGS. 1,2) the pulp in the formof kaolin suspension featuring a low content of contaminating minerals(titanium and iron oxides) is treated with reagents with a view toimparting hydrophobic properties to the minerals (iron and titaniumoxides) to be extracted therefrom. The thus prepared pulp is supplied tothe section 22, while water is supplied to the section 23 of the bowl16.

Then, the shaft 3 is rotated together with the bowl l6 immoveably fixedon said shaft.

In the course of rotation of the bowl 16 there takes place in turnchange of feed of the pulp and water to the receivingfunnels 17, aswellas to the filtering tanks 2.

As the opening 26 of the section 22, adapted for draining the pulp,enters the zone of the funnel 17, the pulp starts coming into thefiltering tank 2. Concurrently, the pressure means 28 acts to switch onthe end switch 29, and direct current is supplied to the electromagneticcoil in this particular filtering tank 2 to magnetize the ferromagneticfiltering elements and the magnet valve 10 which is drawn inside thetank 2 and closes the opening 9 in its bottom 8.

In the course of the passage of the pulp supplied to the tank 2 throughthe ferromagnetic filtering elements 15, magnetic forces and the forcesof selective adherence cause the extraction of the desired minerals(i.e., iron and titanium oxides) from the pulp by adhering to thefiltering elements 15.

The moment the electric current passes through the electromagnetic coil13, the magnet valve 10 is drawn in theopening 9 and the separation ofthe desired minerals is carried out in bulk.

The pulp purified from admixtures (iron and titanium oxides) enters thespace 7 adapted for collecting the processed pulp and is drained throughthe drain opening 11 into a special receiver (not shown in thedrawings). When the pulp drain opening 26 of the section 22 passes outof the zone of the funnel 17, the water drain opening 27 of the section23 entering said zone, the pressure means 28 acts to discontinue thesupply of electric current and, concurrently, water is supplied to thetank 2. When so doing, there takes place demagnetization of theferromagnetic filtering elements 15 and the valve 10, the latter movingout of the opening 9 to open the outlet from the tank. Water fed to thetank 2 washes away demagnetized particles of the admixtures (iron andtitanium oxides) and passes via the opening 9 opened by means of themagnet valve to the receiver (not shown in the drawings).

Thereupon, the operating cycle of the filter separator of the presentinvention is repeated. The operation of the other filtering tank 2 isanalogous to that of the first one, with the only difference that shouldthe pulp be supplied'to the first tank then water is supplied to thesecond tank.

Presented hereinbelow are:

I. Table of Parameters of the Filter Separator According to theInvention No. Parameter Value of parameter and units of measurement 1.Specific efficiency of the 270 kg/hr filter separator per 1 sq.dm of thefilter area 2. Filtration rate 2.5 cm/sec 3. Magnetic field intensity10,000 to 12,000 oersted II. Table of Results of Purifying Kaolins fromImpurities by Means of the Filter Separator of the Invention Depositsand Concentracontent, content, whiteness tion Products percent percentpercent Kaolin from Glukhovetskii deposit initial 0.89 1.35 83 processed0.53 0.71 '91 Kaolin from Manuilskii deposit initial 0.70 L1 92processed 0.52 0.45 95 What is claimed is:

l. A filter separator for wet enrichment of minerals in finely dispersedmaterials, said separator comprising: at least two filtering tanks madeof a non-magnetic material and disposed about a vertical axis ofsymmetry, a distributor means for alternate and separate supply of pulpand water into each of said tanks, said distributor means being locatedabove said tanks and supported for turning movement about the verticalaxis of symmetry of said tanks, the desired minerals being extractedfrom the pulp in one of said tanks while the extracted minerals arewashed away by water in the other tank; electromagnetic coils arrangedin each of said filtering tanks; and ferromagnetic filtering elementsdisposed in said tanks inside and around said electromagnetic coils toform a closed magnetic core, said coils serving to magnetize saidelements.

2. A filter separator as claimed in claim 1, wherein each of thefiltering tanks comprises two concentric cylinders separated by a spaceadapted for collecting the processed pulp, each said tank including aconical bottom portion having an opening in its vertex, and a magneticvalve in said opening for allowing the removal of water with extractedminerals, the outer cylinder including an upper portion which isprovided with an opening to discharge the processed pulp.

3. A filter separator as claimed in claim 1, wherein said distributormeans comprises a rotatable bowl divided by a concentric partition intotwo sections for pulp and water, respectively, and two immovable re--ceiving funnels arranged under the bowl, the bottom of each section ofthe bowl being provided with an opening that is diametrally opposite tothe opening in the bottom of the other section to drain pulp andwaterinto said funnels which, upon rotation'of the bowl, alternatelydirect the pulp and water supplied thereinto into the filtering tanks.

4. A filter separator as claimed in claim 1,'wherein said ferromagneticfiltering elements are balls or plates.

5. A filter separator for wet enrichment of minerals provided withhydrophobic properties in finely dispersed materials, said separatorcomprising: at least two filtering tanks made of a non-magnetic materialand disposed about a vertical axis of symmetry, a distributor means foralternate and separate supply of pulp and water into each of said tanks,said distributor means being located above said tanks and supported forturning movement about the vertical axis of symmetry of said tanks, thedesired minerals being extracted from the pulp in one of said tankswhile the extracted minerals are washed away by water in the other tank;electromagnetic coils arranged in each of said filtering tanks; andferromagnetic filtering elements disposed in said tanks inside andaround said electromagnetic coils, said coils serving to magnetize saidelements, said filtering elements being coated with a hydrophobic filmfor promoting the extraction of the minerals.

6. A filter separator as claimed in claim 5, wherein each of thefiltering tanks comprises two concentric cylinders separated by a spaceadapted for collecting the processed pulp, each said tank including aconical bottom portion having an opening in its vertex, and a magneticvalve in said opening for allowing the removal of water with extractedminerals, the outer cylinder including an upper portion which isprovidedwith an opening to discharge the processed pulp. v

7. A filter separator as claimed in claim 5, wherein said distributormeans comprises a rotatable bowl divided by a concentric partition intotwo sections for pulp and water, respectively, and two immovablereceiving funnels arranged under the bowl, the bottom of each section ofthe bowl being provided with an opensaid ferromagnetic filteringelements are balls or plates. =l=

1. A filter separator for wet enrichment of minerals in finely dispersedmaterials, said separator comprising: at least two filtering tanks madeof a non-magnetic material and disposed about a vertical axis ofsymmetry, a distributor means for alternate and separate supply of pulpand water into each of said tanks, said distributor means being locatedabove said tanks and supported for turning movement about the verticalaxis of symmetry of said tanks, the desired minerals being extractedfrom the pulp in one of said tanks while the extracted minerals arewashed away by water in the other tank; electromagnetic coils arrangedin each of said filtering tanks; and ferromagnetic filtering elementsdisposed in said tanks inside and around said electromagnetic coils toform a closed magnetic core, said coils serving to magnetize saidelements.
 2. A filter separator as claimed in claim 1, wherein each ofthe filtering tanks comprises two concentric cylinders separated by aspace adapted for collecting the processed pulp, each said tankincluding a conical bottom portion having an opening in its vertex, anda magnetic valve in said opening for allowing the removal of water withextracted minerals, the outer cylinder including an upper portion whichis provided with an opening to discharge the processed pulp.
 3. A filterseparator as claimed in claim 1, wherein said distributor Meanscomprises a rotatable bowl divided by a concentric partition into twosections for pulp and water, respectively, and two immovable receivingfunnels arranged under the bowl, the bottom of each section of the bowlbeing provided with an opening that is diametrally opposite to theopening in the bottom of the other section to drain pulp and water intosaid funnels which, upon rotation of the bowl, alternately direct thepulp and water supplied thereinto into the filtering tanks.
 4. A filterseparator as claimed in claim 1, wherein said ferromagnetic filteringelements are balls or plates.
 5. A filter separator for wet enrichmentof minerals provided with hydrophobic properties in finely dispersedmaterials, said separator comprising: at least two filtering tanks madeof a non-magnetic material and disposed about a vertical axis ofsymmetry, a distributor means for alternate and separate supply of pulpand water into each of said tanks, said distributor means being locatedabove said tanks and supported for turning movement about the verticalaxis of symmetry of said tanks, the desired minerals being extractedfrom the pulp in one of said tanks while the extracted minerals arewashed away by water in the other tank; electromagnetic coils arrangedin each of said filtering tanks; and ferromagnetic filtering elementsdisposed in said tanks inside and around said electromagnetic coils,said coils serving to magnetize said elements, said filtering elementsbeing coated with a hydrophobic film for promoting the extraction of theminerals.
 6. A filter separator as claimed in claim 5, wherein each ofthe filtering tanks comprises two concentric cylinders separated by aspace adapted for collecting the processed pulp, each said tankincluding a conical bottom portion having an opening in its vertex, anda magnetic valve in said opening for allowing the removal of water withextracted minerals, the outer cylinder including an upper portion whichis provided with an opening to discharge the processed pulp.
 7. A filterseparator as claimed in claim 5, wherein said distributor meanscomprises a rotatable bowl divided by a concentric partition into twosections for pulp and water, respectively, and two immovable receivingfunnels arranged under the bowl, the bottom of each section of the bowlbeing provided with an opening that is diametrally opposite to theopening in the bottom of the other section to drain pulp and water intosaid funnels which, upon rotation of the bowl, alternately direct thepulp and water supplied thereinto into the filtering tanks.
 8. A filterseparator as claimed in claim 5, wherein said ferromagnetic filteringelements are balls or plates.